Greetings comic book fans and welcome to another episode of the Crank File. Every Wednesday is new comic book day and on Tuesdays I like to spotlight some of the stuff I’ll be checking out. If you are reading this article, then you are no doubt aware of Jack Kirby. A man so well respected that his contemporaries called him Jack “The King of Comics” Kirby, later shortened to Jack “King” Kirby for the whole brevity thing. This week would have been Jack’s 100th birthday. This week is also the dreaded 5th Wednesday of the month, which mean most of the publishers phoned it in. One shots, annuals, you know the drill. It’s rough but there are a few diamonds in there. Here’s what glitters.

Here’s what I’m reading this week:

The Top of the Pile: Saga #46

Publisher: ImageWords: Brian K VaughanArt: Fiona Staples

What it is: An operation and a farewell.

Why we love it: The best comic in comicdom continues to be just that. The last page of issue #45 has been giving me nightmares since I read it and I’m no doctor, but that cover doesn’t look good.

The Mainstream One: Secret Empire #10 (Gabrielle Dell Otto variant)

Publisher: MarvelWords: Nick SpencerArt: Steve McNiven

What it is: Can there be any redemption for Captain America as the SECRET EMPIRE starts to crumble? Rated T+

Why we like it: This is the end for Hydra Cap! What happens to Steve Rogers and how can he possibly be redeemed after going this far?Secret Empire has been a good event and an even better read but I’m getting worried that it all ends with Kobik ex machina. Regardless, that is one bad mutha Dell Otto cover.

The Indie One: Image Plus #1 (Wytches The Bad Egg part 1)

Publisher: ImageWords: Scott SnyderArt: Jock

What it is: Volume two of the Diamond Gem Award-winning comics magazine IMAGE+ begins now! Fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of SCOTT SNYDER & JOCK’s smash-hit horror series WYTCHES ever since the first season ended on a brutal cliffhanger. Now, they’re back with a taste for the upcoming second season of the series by serializing what happens next in IMAGE+! How did Sailor make it to safety? What has she been doing since?

Why we like it: Free when purchasing a copy of Diamonds Preview, Image Plus #1 brings the much anticipated return of Wytches. I loved the first arc when it came out in 2014, and I’m super excited that it is coming back. I hate that it’s being printed in Image Plus magazine instead of single issue floppies.

The #1 One: Star Wars Jedi Republic Mace Windu #1

Publisher: MarvelWords: Matt OwenArt: Denys Cowan

What it is: For over a thousand generations, the Jedi have been the peacekeepers of the galaxy…but now, at the dawn of the Clone Wars, they find themselves in a new role: generals in the Army of the Republic. As Mace Windu, one of the Jedi’s greatest warriors, leads a small unit of Jedi into battle shortly after the war begins, the Jedi must make peace with their new role, or be lost to the violence around them! Rated T

Why we like it: Hi kids, do you like sci-fi action? With Sam Jackson, gonna grow up like Titanic with Bill Packson? Cool brother with the bald head and goatee. Isn’t he the first black guy to be in Star Wars Since Billy D? Hi, my name is, huh? my name is who? my name is chicki, chicki, Mace Windew. Jimmy Fallon may be a twit but I always liked that bit.

The One I’m Buying for the Cover: Wonder Woman #29

Publisher: DCWords: Fonta SheaArt: Messi DavidCover Art: Jenny Frison

What it is: ‘HEART OF THE AMAZON’ part four! No single bounty hunter would be enough to draw blood from Wonder Woman-which is why the cabal that’s so desperate to get their hands on Amazon DNA has sent five!

Why we like it: Maybe it’s just me, but this WW cover reminds me of that famous National Geographic cover with the Afghan Girl.

That’s all I got this week. Until next time, carpe comics! And to everyone affected by Harvey, our thoughts go out to you. Stay safe and take care of each other!